The project found that parents and families supported and valued new technologies, media and popular culture and the role they played in the development of their children. Early years practitioners also valued these emerging skills, although the extent to which they were developed in settings were often limited. There was a significant difference between the new technology resources available in maintained and non-maintained settings. A need was identified for the further professional development of early years practitioners to utilise popular culture, media and new technologies.
Digital Beginnings is a project funded by BBC Worldwide and the Esmée Fairbairn Foundation to find out more about the use of popular culture and technology by young children. The research was undertaken by Jackie Marsh at The University of Sheffield. The study found that popular culture could actually help young children develop skills. The research used the views of parents/carers and practitioners to find out about how children aged between 0 and 6 years of age use popular culture and technology. The research also studied the impact of action research on several Foundation Stage settings.
The project found that parents and families supported and valued new technologies, media and popular culture and the role they played in the development of their children. Early years practitioners also valued these emerging skills, although the extent to which they were developed in settings were often limited. There was a significant difference between the new technology resources available in maintained and non-maintained settings. A need was identified for the further professional development of early years practitioners to utilise popular culture, media and new technologies.
The final report can be found here.